Point of sales systems for vehicles

• US 6,760,706 B1
• Filed: 04/09/1999
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Information Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Information Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Ambrose, Alan S., Ferguson, James D., McDonald, William S., Baker, Glwynn R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUFF, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US09/289,311
• Time in Patent Office: 1,915 Days
• Field of Search: 705/16, 705/25, 340/573.1, 709/217-219, 116/28.R, 280/727, 280/762, 280/769, 224/929
• US Class Current: 705/16
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

A novel point of sales systems for vehicles. The systems are comprised of a housing attachable to the exterior of the vehicle which contains components of the system which are interactive with regard to the customer. Another embodiment of the invention is a two housing system in which one housing is attachable on the exterior of the vehicle and the second housing is placed inside the vehicle. Examples of an interactive system are an interactive game, coupon request and receipt, participation in a survey, and the like.

Claims

1. An interactive information system for mounting to a vehicle door having a door window, comprising:

a first housing;

a second housing;

a holding device connected to at least said first housing and extending upwardly away from said first housing to an upper end, said holding device being adapted at its upper end to mount to a door of a vehicle such that said first housing is located exteriorly of the vehicle; and

an electronic system that includes at least one input device, at least one output device, and an activatable system, wherein said first and second housings each contain different portions of said electronic system with said input device being located at said first housing;

said second housing being positionable within the vehicle while said first housing is mounted by said holding device on the vehicle door such that said input device faces away from the door with said output device being positioned so that a person exterior of the vehicle can interact with said input device at the exterior of the vehicle while receiving information from said output device.

2. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second housings are connected to each other by said holding device such that they are located on opposite sides of the vehicle window when said holding device is mounted on the window.

3. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1, wherein said second housing is connected to said first housing only by an electrical connection.

4. An interactive information system as defined in claim 2, wherein said first housing includes said activatable system.

5. An interactive information system as defined in claim 2, wherein said second housing includes a display device.

6. An interactive information system as defined in claim 2, wherein said second housing includes a power source.

7. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1, wherein said electronic system includes a power source.

8. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1, wherein said input device comprises an activation source carried by the first housing to enable a person to activate the activatable system from the exterior of the vehicle.

9. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the output device is mounted to the first housing.

10. An interactive information system as defined in claim 9 wherein the input device comprises a portion of said activatable system.

11. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes an electronic display screen.

12. An interactive information system as defined in claim 11 wherein the electronic display screen displays information.

13. An interactive information system as defined in claim 11 wherein the electronic display screen displays an interactive game.

14. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes a microphone.

15. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes a camera.

16. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes an information area.

17. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes an illuminated display.

18. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes equipment for vending coupons.

19. An interactive information system as defined in claim 18 which includes equipment for printing coupons prior to vending.

20. An interactive information system as defined in claim 18 wherein the coupons are pre-printed before placing in the activatable system.

21. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes an audio recording and playback system.

22. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes a video recording and playback system.

23. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes a video display system.

24. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes a survey system.

25. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the activatable system includes an interactive game.

26. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the input and output devices include an antenna and a device selected from a group consisting of:

(i) a receiver,

(ii) a transmitter, and

(iii) a transceiver.

27. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronic system includes equipment for wireless radio communication.

28. An interactive information system as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronic system includes a microcontroller.

29. An interactive information system for mounting to a vehicle door having a door window, comprising:

a first housings;

a second housing;

a holding device connected to said first housing and extending upwardly away from said first housing to an upper end, said holding device being adapted at its upper end to mount to a door of a vehicle such that said first housing is located exteriorly of the vehicle; and

an electronic system that includes at least one input device, at least one output device, and an activatable system, wherein at least a portion of said electronic system is contained within said first housing;

wherein said first and second housings each contain different portions of said electronic system with said second housing being positionable within the vehicle such that separate portions of said electronic system are located internally and externally of the vehicle; and

wherein said first and second housings are connected by said holding device.

30. An interactive information system as defined in claim 29, wherein said holding device is adapted to mount to the vehicle door by fitting over an upper edge of a window of the door such that said first ad second housings are located on opposite sides of the window.

31. An interactive information system as defined in claim 30, wherein said second housing includes a video screen and wherein the interactive information system further comprises a clear screen located between said first housing and said holding device with said screen being positioned in front of said video screen to permit viewing of said video screen though said clear screen.

32. An interactive information system as defined in claim 31, wherein said clear screen comprises a touch screen that forms a part of said electronic system.